Discover the 10 Best Hotels in Santa Monica

Nestled between Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Brentwood, and Venice, the charming coastal city of Santa Monica showcases a variety of experiences. Iconic sites like the Santa Monica Pier and Third Street Promenade blend seamlessly with a cozy, inviting atmosphere. Here, trendy spots coexist with laid-back locales that embody a relaxed beach lifestyle.

The hotel landscape in Santa Monica has seen remarkable growth in recent years, with new additions set to enhance the offerings in 2024, including the 175-room beachfront Sandbourne debuting in spring and the eagerly awaited Regent Santa Monica Beach opening midyear. Currently, there's an array of accommodations catering to every type of traveler. As part of Dinogo’s Hotels We Love series, we’ve curated a list of our top 10 hotels in Santa Monica, each unique in style but all sharing a commitment to exceptional hospitality.

1. Proper Santa Monica

Design enthusiasts will discover a serene haven at the Proper Santa Monica. Every detail reflects the artistry of interior designer Kelly Wearstler, with 267 guest rooms adorned in soothing sand and earth tones, complemented by rich, inviting fabrics. Activities curated by Westside’s director of culture and programming, Eva Nineuil, range from journaling workshops and podcast recordings to yoga sessions, sound baths, and sunset music gatherings.

The hotel emphasizes sustainability, utilizing bamboo straws at the rooftop restaurant Calabra and ensuring guest rooms are free from plastic. Guests can explore the neighborhood on foot, borrow bikes or surfboards, visit Santa Monica’s renowned Wednesday farmers’ market, and support local businesses like Santa Monica Picnic Co., which offers gourmet beach picnics with extras like acoustic guitar accompaniment, Pilates or yin yoga sessions, photography, and surf lessons. Proper’s Ayurvedic Surya Spa, which opened in spring 2021, was highly anticipated and has become a must-visit for Angelenos seeking wellness. Starting at $500

2. The Georgian Hotel

The turquoise Georgian hotel has been a landmark on Santa Monica’s waterfront since 1933, hosting celebrities like Marilyn Monroe and Charlie Chaplin during its peak. Following a period of decline, the hotel underwent a remarkable renovation in 2023, restoring its enchanting hospitality. The property features 56 guest rooms and 28 one-bedroom suites, adorned with curved, art deco-inspired velvet headboards, deep orange sofas, and hardwood floors, many offering stunning ocean views.

The art deco theme carries through to the refined Restaurant at the Georgian, led by chef David Almany, which boasts floor-to-ceiling drapes, round banquettes, and a horseshoe-shaped bar. The menu highlights Italian cuisine, including free-range chicken Milanese and rigatoni cacio e pepe, expertly paired with selections from wine director Kristin Olszewski. Starting at $450

3. The Ambrose Hotel

Consider the Ambrose your gateway to experiencing the true Santa Monica lifestyle. Located twenty blocks from the beach in a tranquil neighborhood, this charming craftsman-style boutique hotel features 77 rooms and suites and was the first LEED-certified hotel in the U.S. upon its opening in 2007. Eco-friendliness is integral to the Ambrose’s offerings, from beach cruisers for exploring 17 miles of bike paths to the Tesla house car that shuttles guests within a three-mile radius. Guests particularly love the nightly Santa Monica Sips tastings, showcasing local beers and California wines, with many opting for extended stays and taking advantage of a special discount for Santa Monica residents. Starting at $269

4. Palihouse Santa Monica

Upon check-in, guests at this 38-room boutique beach lodge behind a Mediterranean revival facade receive a personalized neighborhood guide featuring recommendations from locals, enhancing their experience of Santa Monica. The hospitality brand Palisociety, founded by Avi Brosh, focuses on blending into the community with a residential feel and locations on quiet streets. While the historic exterior is striking, the interiors showcase a delightful mix of quirky elements—like taxidermy busts and unique wallpaper—paired with a breezy beach vibe. The hotel also supports the Clean the World program, redistributing unused amenity bottles and soaps to those in need worldwide. Starting at $295

5. Shutters on the Beach

What makes Shutters on the Beach truly special is its prime location—it is one of only two Santa Monica hotels situated directly on the beach (the other being the Mediterranean-inspired Casa del Mar, its neighboring sister property). This waterfront location provides a unique atmosphere, particularly when enjoying a sparkling drink in the hotel’s updated courtyard while listening to the waves or the jazz ensemble during Saturday brunch. The design, crafted by White House decorator Michael S. Smith, draws inspiration from Cape Cod, featuring blue-and-white interiors and floor-to-ceiling shutters that open to stunning ocean views.

The 198 guest rooms and suites—many equipped with balconies—feature luxurious sunken Jacuzzi tubs. During the summer, beach activities take center stage, with an activity center stocked with boogie boards, beach cruisers, and umbrellas. The heated pool is available year-round, complete with curtained cabanas and delicious guacamole served at the pool bar.

In winter, the main lounge becomes the heart of the resort. As the fireplaces crackle, bartenders serve from an extensive whiskey, wine, and cocktail menu; the plush couches are so inviting that kids might drift off while enjoying the acoustic tunes of the folksy duo providing a soothing nightcap. This is laid-back luxury at its finest.

Be sure to take some time at the tranquil One Spa or savor blue crab and hamachi crudo at the coastal California restaurant, 1 Pico. A helpful tip: cultural experiences are right at your doorstep, as the hotel features an impressive art collection, showcasing works by Ellsworth Kelly, John Baldessari, and William Wegman, among others, displayed throughout the property. Starting at $810

6. Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows

You can’t get more quintessentially Santa Monica than the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows, where a towering 120-foot Moreton Bay fig tree warmly welcomes all who arrive. Recently celebrating its centennial, the resort spans five acres and features ocean-view hotel rooms along with 31 cozy bungalows reminiscent of beach houses, plus a spa, fitness center, and boutique shops. The hotel is deeply rooted in community involvement, partnering with organizations like the Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Monica, Meals on Wheels West, and Santa Monica Symphony.

In 2024, the Fairmont became the first hotel in the area to launch a zero-waste program that includes compostable refuse bins—the rich compost produced is donated to Santa Monica residents. Guests can’t miss the FIG @ FIVE happy hour at Fig, offering 50 percent off the full menu, which attracts locals (reservations are recommended) who also enjoy Poolside Cinema nights and special holiday events throughout the year. Starting at $439

7. Hotel Casa del Mar

With a glamorous legacy dating back to 1928, Hotel Casa del Mar is a neighbor to Shutters on the Beach (they share ownership) and has been a beloved community landmark for nearly a century. Its distinctive Italian Renaissance architecture stands apart from the surrounding buildings, providing an elegant setting for enjoying cocktails or dining on the beachside patio, Terrazza, as the sun sets. The 145 guest rooms and suites offer luxurious retreats, featuring mahogany headboards, chaise lounges, and bathrooms with marble floors.

In terms of sustainability, Casa del Mar is at the forefront: the culinary team employs Orca technology for reducing and diverting food waste to cut down on greenhouse gas emissions, while staff earn points (redeemable for rewards) for using eco-friendly transportation methods like walking, biking, or carpooling to work. Starting at $525

8. Oceana Santa Monica, LXR Hotels & Resorts

Nestled in the upscale Wilshire Montana neighborhood, Oceana Santa Monica faces the serene Palisades Park, adorned with fig and palm trees, right alongside the Pacific Ocean. Stepping into the lobby instantly transports you away from the busy atmosphere of Santa Monica Pier.

Formerly known as the Oceana Beach Club Hotel, this property reopened in 2019 after being acquired by Hilton’s LXR brand and undergoing a $25 million renovation. The hotel features 70 apartment-style guest rooms—most with ocean views—arranged around a heart-shaped pool. Each suite includes a separate living area and bedroom, Loro Piana bedding, spacious bathrooms, and walk-in closets. The two-bedroom suites come with en suite kitchens and balconies. Designed by Anna Busta of Busta Studio, the interiors showcase moody blue sofas along with gold and wood accents.

Despite Santa Monica’s vibrant culinary landscape, Oceana Santa Monica’s Sandpiper stands out. The seafood-centric menu features dishes like chilled prawns with summer melons, pan-roasted sheepshead fish accompanied by littleneck clams, and fresh chopped salads. Complement your meal with a signature cocktail like the Stan Laurel (named after the iconic actor from Laurel and Hardy who once resided at the Oceana), which combines Empress gin, Cointreau, lavender syrup, and lemon juice. Starting at $950

9. Viceroy Santa Monica

In late summer 2020, this Santa Monica hotel underwent a stylish transformation of its public spaces, featuring midcentury-modern furniture and a refreshing color palette that blends calming neutrals with striking blues in the lobby, lounge, and patio. This redesign has established it as a favorite among both locals and visitors seeking a getaway just a 10-minute stroll from Santa Monica Pier and the beach.

The centerpiece of the Viceroy is undoubtedly its pair of sparkling swimming pools accompanied by newly added, well-appointed cabanas. To commemorate its 20-year anniversary in 2020, the hotel, known for its striking eight-story mural, expanded its art collection by partnering with local artists, including Erin Miller Wray and Monica Perez, to create murals, site-specific installations, and digitally enhanced artworks reflecting Santa Monica’s vibrant creative scene. Starting at $355

10. The Pierside Hotel

Embodying the relaxed SoCal atmosphere that defines Santa Monica, the Pierside Hotel opened its doors in 2023 as a chic lodging choice just steps away from Santa Monica Pier. The hotel boasts 132 guest rooms and suites adorned with shades of blue inspired by the Pacific Ocean, complemented by floor-to-ceiling windows, wooden floors, and cozy carpeted seating areas. Centrally located near Santa Monica’s attractions, the hotel also offers inviting amenities, including a heated saltwater pool and the Surfing Fox restaurant, which serves laid-back fare like lobster rolls, fish tacos, and beer-steamed michelada mussels. Sustainable features are thoughtfully integrated throughout the property, including hydration stations for refilling aluminum water bottles provided by the hotel. Starting at $405

This article was originally published on May 19, 2021, with additional contributions from Tim Chester, Jennifer Flowers, and Mae Hamilton.